Mountwood staying busy with Volcano Days

September 19, 2012

VOLCANO - Mountwood Park's annual Volcano Days festival is a large event for community members, but the park holds many other successful events.

Mountwood Park board president Bob Buchanan said Volcano Days has been a huge success each year. The park holds smaller events each year as well.

This year a mud run was introduced on Aug. 25 to the growing list of activities offered by the Wood County park.

"It (the mud run) was a tremendous first event for the park," Buchanan said.

The proceeds went to the Wounded Warriors fund. Buchanan estimated about $2,000 was raised.

There were about 170 participants in the mud run, with the park offering its land for the physical event. Buchanan said the park was an ideal place to hold such a run, because of its location.

Fact Box

Volcano Days

Being held Sept. 28-30

Food vendors

Homemade ice cream

Historic oil well equipment, operational and on display

Shuttle rides

Auction for selling excess salvaged items owned by the park at the shooting range

Music

Go to www.mountwoodpark.org, and click on Volcano Days, for a full schedule of events and entertainment

"First, we (the park) have the facilities and land that is conducive to that type of physical event," he said Tuesday. "Also, the close proximity to metropolitan areas."

The Mountwood Park board gave approval for the partnership with representatives from the U.S. Army Reserves, who planned and organized the event. The reserves helped on the day of the event by offering the assistance of the soldiers at each obstacle.

Keith Hymen, event organizer, has planned several military challenges throughout the state and surrounding areas. Hymen contacted park officials for the coordination, and the proceeds went directly to the foundation, officials said.

Buchanan said the proceeds generated by the park from the event were sent to Hymen after an issue with the cost of lumber left the organizer with a larger debt than anticipated. The board unanimously passed at Monday's meeting to give its 50 percent share to Hymen for compensation of his costs.

The Ten Mile Challenge took place Sept. 15. Buchanan said the event was sponsored by the River City Runners and Walkers Club; the park supplied the facilities.

Volcano Days, Sept. 28-30, is the premier event for the park, said Buchanan.

"There's a tremendous amount of events and things for every single age," he said. "There's something for small children, teenagers, moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas."